Photo by Keyli Chisesi (Go Big Blue Country)
There will be a lot of emotions when Kentucky senior quarterback Stephen Johnson takes the field for the final time at home as a Kentucky Wildcat. The fans have just had fourteen months with the California native but it didn’t take long for the Big Blue Nation to fall in love with number fifteen.
Johnson was a last minute option for Kentucky with the Wildcats needing a backup quarterback behind Drew Barker after Patrick Towles decided to transfer. Just two games into his career; Johnson was forced to take the reigns after Barker suffered a season-ending back injury. All he has done since then is steal the hearts of the fans while leading the Wildcats to one of the best stretches in years.
Johnson has led Kentucky to a 14-7 record, including wins over Louisville and Tennessee. For those two wins alone, he will be remembered as one of the favorites to take snaps in Lexington but his presence has been even greater.
The statistics will not blow you away but his leadership is what jumps off the page. For his career, Johnson has passed for 3,975 yards to go along with 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Additionally, he has rushed for 679 yards and 6 touchdowns.
You couldn’t have written a better story than the one Johnson will have when the book is closed at the University of Kentucky. After struggling with Tourette’s as a child, he used his struggles to become his strength and reason. His hard times became his motivation, which is why he looks unfazed by difficult situations.
With limited options out of high school, Johnson chose to attend Grambling State, where he became the starting quarterback before losing his job after an injury. His next stop on his journey to Lexington was the College of the Desert, the place where the Kentucky staff discovered him.
Through all the stops, Johnson ended where he needed to be, leading the Wildcats to back-to-back Bowl appearances. After a 0-2 start in 2016, Johnson stepped in for the injured Barker and led Kentucky to a 7-5 regular season finish that resulted in a TaxSlayer Bowl berth.
Even after the success during his junior season, Johnson still had doubters entering 2017. A majority felt he deserved to start the season opener but assumed that a healthy Barker would take over once Johnson struggled. However, the struggles never occurred and Johnson closed the door on any quarterback controversy.
Johnson will be remembered for his positive attitude and his character off the field. The perfect example of this was back-to-back games vs. Tennessee and Ole Miss. Johnson suffered a shoulder injury in the second half vs. Tennessee and it appeared he might miss the remainder of the game. Knowing his team would lose if he didn’t return, he returned to score the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute to play.
Fans will always remember him leaping his way into the end zone vs. Tennessee but it was what occurred after a difficult loss to Ole Miss the following week that speaks to the type of person he is. After a heartbreaking loss to the Rebels, Johnson took time to sign autographs and greet fans after the game. That tells the story of Stephen Johnson, the unheralded quarterback that will be remembered with the likes of Tim Couch, Jared Lorenzen, and Andre Woodson.
Freddie Maggard of the UK Sports Network and KSR said it best when I spoke with him in October, “This senior day will be hard on all of us”. Those words couldn’t be truer, as the Big Blue Nation says thank you and goodbye to a special group tomorrow at Kroger Field vs. Louisville.
I will remember Stephen Johnson for his leadership, kindness, hard work, and winning attitude he has shown during his short time at Kentucky. Whether it was a huge win or a heartbreaking loss, Johnson was always one of the first to meet with media after games and for that, I thank him.
When the UK quarterback is introduced as the starter for the final time at Kroger Field tomorrow, it will be hard to hold back the emotions. So, I ask you this, how will you remember Stephen Johnson?
